In a recently published New York Times article, columnist Max Fischer accused Sen. Tom Cotton, R-Ark., of promoting conspiracy theories and spreading disinformation about the origins of the novel coronavirus.

“The coronavirus has given rise to a flood of conspiracy theories, disinformation and propaganda, eroding public trust and undermining health officials in ways that could elongate and even outlast the pandemic,” Fischer wrote. “Senator Tom Cotton, Republican of Arkansas, and others have suggested that the virus may have been produced by a Chinese weapons lab.”

Cotton never suggested there was proof the virus was produced as a Chinese bioweapon. Instead, he said the United States should dig deeper to rule out the possibility, given the Chinese Communist Party (CCP) has undeniably tried to cover-up the initial information about the spread of the virus.

“Since the start of this outbreak, I’ve maintained that animal-to-human transmission or a ‘good science, bad safety’ accidental breach in a lab studying coronavirus — like the one in Wuhan — are the most likely origin scenarios,” Cotton tweeted.

Since the start of this outbreak, I’ve maintained that animal-to-human transmission or a “good science, bad safety” accidental breach in a lab studying coronavirus—like the one in Wuhan—are the most likely origin scenarios. Too bad he couldn’t be bothered to ask. pic.twitter.com/IVOYKWThtk

Cotton believes it is ridiculous to discount the bioweapon hypothesis because the CCP never revealed the virus’s origins. He also suggested Fischer actually put some time and energy into investigating what happened in Wuhan, instead of just repeating hearsay.

“Instead of lazily reporting phony hearsay, Max Fischer should look into the hazy origins of the virus himself,” Cotton tweeted.

Instead of lazily repeating phony hearsay, @Max_Fisher should look into the hazy origins of the virus himself—an origin we still don’t know, thanks to Chinese Communist Party’s coverups and lies.https://t.co/pulLo18Hw2

In repressing different hypotheses about the origins of the coronavirus, the New York Times is carrying out propaganda pushed by the CCP and the complicit World Health Organization (WHO). Repression of Cotton’s information and legitimate line of questioning is exactly what the CCP wants to happen.

The CCP is working over-time to place blame on the United States for the global pandemic, and lie about the extent of the outbreak in its own country. Zhao Lijian, a Chinese foreign ministry spokesman tweeted that the United States Army was to blame for bringing the coronavirus to Wuhan.

“It might be US army who brought the epidemic to Wuhan. Be transparent! Make public your data! US owe us an explanation,” Lijan tweeted.

Fischer’s article is not the first time Chinese propaganda has been published in the New York Times. Investigations reveal that China has a history of flouting federal laws to publish propaganda in both the New York Times and Washington Post.

According to the Free Beacon, China routinely broke U.S. federal law by publishing regime propaganda in US newspapers, without disclosing how much it spent on advertisements. This bidding is done through China Daily, an official mouthpiece of the CCP. China Daily attempts to make these advertisements look like regular news stories and the New York Times and Washington Post approve this propaganda for their publications.

In an attempt to degrade a Republican senator, the New York Times has successfully promulgated Chinese propaganda yet again.

Chrissy Clark is a former staff writer at The Federalist. She has work featured in The Daily Signal and received a degree in political science from Michigan State University. Follow her on social media @chrissyclark_.